A visibly angry Joel Embiid yelled and eventually pushed a columnist from a Philadelphia newspaper in a locker room altercation after the struggling 76ers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
The NBA quickly said it has opened an investigation into the matter
Embiid took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the All-Star center’s late brother and his son — both named Arthur — in columns questioning Embiid’s professionalism and out-of-form effort after the play at the Olympic Games in Paris. Embiid has yet to play for the 76ers this season
When reporters entered the locker room to talk to players, Embiid stood up and confronted Hayes.
“The next time you bring up my late brother and my son, you’ll see what I’m going to do to you and I’ll have to live with the consequences,” Embiid told Hayes. .
Embiid continued, with several instances of profanity in the next few sentences. Hayes apologized, which Embiid did not want. “That’s not the first time.” Embiid said
Embiid later said he doesn’t care what reporters say. “But you do,” Hayes replied
Embiid seemed to get louder at that point and not long after pushed Hayes on the shoulder as the team’s PR chief got between them. Another PR person moved Tyrese Maxey’s interview to the hallway outside the locker room, in an attempt to clear reporters.
At the same time, a team security officer asked the media not to report on what happened. Embiid yelled at the security guard
“They can do whatever they want,” Embiid said. “I don’t care if…”
The Shams Charania of athletics reported that the NBA is investigating the incident.
Hayes had previously apologized to X for his October 23 column. The Inquirer removed references to Embiid’s late brother and son, both named Arthur.
In 2014, Embiid’s brother was hit by a truck in Cameroon and died at the age of 13.
Embiid started the “In Memory of Arthur Initiative” in 2022, pledging to donate $1 million to nonprofits in the Philadelphia region. This summer he organized a neighborhood party for about 200 children from those organizations.
“It’s still hard to think about the whole thing,” Embiid said on September 27. “He’s one of the reasons I do this. He is someone who took care of everyone. It’s funny, all the stories I heard – because I hadn’t been there since I left Cameroon – and when I went back after his death, all the stories I heard… just someone who cared and always gave back.
Embiid had called out Hayes during a news conference on Friday about his left knee and the return process. Hayes was not present Friday.
“When I see people saying he doesn’t want to play… I’ve been through way too much,” Embiid said. “I’ve done way too much for this city and put myself in danger for people to say that, so I think it’s bullshit. Like that guy… he’s not there – Marcus, whatever his name is. I’ve done way too much to let this damn city treat me like this. I’ve done way too much.
“Like I said, I wish I was as lucky as other players, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try and do what it takes to be there, which I will be. here soon.”
The 1-4 Sixers begin a three-game road trip against the Suns on Monday night. Embiid said Friday that “everything is moving in the right direction” with his health but did not predict a specific date for his return.
